Kevin Pietersen labelled Nottinghamshire a “disgrace” after the decision to
ban the Barmy Army trumpeter from playing his instrument at the first Ashes
Test next week.

Billy Cooper, a professional musician, is a regular face on England tours abroad and has been allowed to play his trumpet at three of the five Ashes Tests this summer.

But Nottinghamshire have confirmed they will not be relaxing their policy of no musical instruments in the ground despite Pietersen and Michael Vaughan criticising the decision.

“We have never allowed musical instruments at Trent Bridge,” said a spokesman. “It is nothing personal against him and his trumpet. It’s just a policy decision that has been in place for a long time and there is no chance of a change of mind.”

Cooper will be allowed to play at Old Trafford, Durham and the Oval but not Trent Bridge and Lord’s. He was a very audible presence on England’s last tour to Australia having been banned from Australian grounds in 2006-07.

Pietersen tweeted: “Absolute DISGRACE that Trent Bridge have stopped our very vocal '12th man' @billbarmytrump from playing at 1st Ashes Test!” Vaughan started a twitter campaign yesterday joined by Piers Morgan.